Water-level indicator



March 18, 1930 HIHI'I C. B O NEILL WATER LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Dec. 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 18, 1930. c. B. ONEILL 4 1,751,016

WATER LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Dec. 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 qmmmu Ill Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES- CLARENCE B. ONEILL, OF CLYMER, PENNSYLVANIA WATER-LEVEL INDICATOR Application filed December 11, 1928. Serial No. 325,261.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, and more particularly to internal combustion engines forming a part of motor vehicles.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means for indicating the water level in the water system of an internal combustion engine, so that the operator may deter mine at a glance when the water in the system reaches a dangerously low level.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for displaying a signal in the form of an electric lamp and indicating means illuminated by the lamp, for indicating the 5 water level in the system.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the indicator illustrating its relation with the radiator of an internal combustion engine.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure'3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view of the signaling device positioned on the instrument board of a motor vehicle.

Figure 5 is a fragmental view illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Figure 6 is an elevational view illustrating the switch forming a part of the system as shown by Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view of the indicating portion secured to the instrument board of the vehicle.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a further modified form of indicator.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the

reference character 5 designates the radiator of a motor vehicle which functions in the usual and well known manner to cool the water passing through the motor.

The device forming the essence of the invention embodies a motor tank 6 which is formed with an opening in its bottom to which the pipe 7 is connected, the pipe 7 leading to the bottom of the radiator where it connects therewith in any suitable manner, although in the present showing the pipe 7 is shown as connected with the drain cock 8.

This tank 6 is supported preferably on the dashboard of the vehicle, the same being provided with an opening to receive the shaft 9 that extends through the upper portion of the tank 6. Extending from the shaft 9 is a curved arm 10 that extends downwardly and upwardly, as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, the arm 10 providing a support for the float 11 which is supplied with an eye 12 through which the arm extends, so that movement of the float will act to move the arm 10 and shaft 9 connected therewith.

As clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawings, one end of the shaft 9 extends through the dash-board which is indicated at A, where it connects with the flexible shaft 13 which has its opposite end connected with the shaft 14: to which the indicator 15 is secured, as by means of the set screw 16. so

This indicator 15 operates in the housing 17 which is formed with an opening 18 disposed directly in front of the lamp 19, st that light rays from the lamp 19 may project through the opening and through the trans lucent material of which the signal is constructed. As shown more clearly by Figure 3, the indicating member is formed of a plurality of sections of translucent material, the section B being white and arrangedin such position that the light rays will project therethrough under normal conditions. The section C is formed preferably of translucent material colored green, while the section D is constructed of translucent material colored red. It is obvious that as the various colored sections of the indicator move in front of the lamp, the operator may determine at a glance the water level in the radiator.

Extending from the indicating memberis I a finger 20 that moves in the offset portion 21 of the spring arm 22, With the result that as the. indicator is moved to its various indi eating positions, it 'will be temporarily held against movement, until the action of the float 11 overcomes the tension of the spring arm to-Inovethe: indicator. A sight openjing is formed "in the indicator, .andigis indijoated by the reference character 23,Wl1i0l1 sight opening is disposed at the instrument board so that it maybeeasily observed b the operator. p

In the form of theinvention as illustrated V by-Figure 5 of the drawings, thedash-board is indicatedby the reference character 24, to which the tank- 25 is-secured',ythetank: 25' being in comlnunication-:With theradiatorfof the internal? combustion. engine. through: a; pipeas indi'cated: by" Figure 1' otthe'drawl gs v V V V The; referenceficharaeter 9f designates", a: V shaft supplied Withiacurved arm 10, that supports thepfloat 11",", throughrthe" eye-- 12 secured; tot-hefio at. At one end of-thesh 9, isa switch: arm:26: thattmoves over the con tacts 27 thatare in :circuitwith -lamps;' 28 mountedadj acent to: the openings :29 formed in :the plate '80 that is secured to: ,thefiinstru menttboard '31 of; the; vehicle; These: open ings: 29 are covered. with: a translu'benti =nia teri'al; the; uppermost opening being covered by -ax White 'material' ,;while thefilower" openings are covered? with; green I andred materials respecti-vely;fso that as the arm .26 moves over the contacts 2.7, circuitskvvill be completed? to: the-lampsfi28 signalihgi to the-operatorthe E condition ofi' tlie waten-insthe radiator. of the vehicles: rm-Figures Sand? 9' of-'the drawing a further modification illustrated, and in: thi's gformmf the invention a vertical tube 32 =is ern pldyed and! is 'support'ed oir'the in; struinent 'hoa'rd, the, instrument 'b'oard being and movable member 33," may befvi'ew'ed therethrough" This r tube 32'is' in communication with the flower-most point of the maiswater level intube 32 will result in a movement of the member 33 and the operator may determine at a glance when the Water level becomes dangerously low.

I clalm: 7 A water level lndicator for radlators, comprising a tank, a pipe establishing eommunication. between"the-tank-and radiator to permit Water to pass from the radiator to the tank, a shaft extendinginto the tank adjacurved arin, saidflbat "adapted to move the armand shaftw'ith the'risean'd: fall ofthe liquid level in theqtank, and'an indicator? operated by; the shaft; I

In testimony that I 615ml theiforegoing-z as: my own, I: have hereto-'- a flixed mysigna ture.

. OLAR'EN'OE B; o N-EILn tor through the pipe 34g and it is obvious that as-Water -is: placed in the radiator 'Wat'eI' will ass through: the pipe '34 and 'into tube "32; seekingitsleVel in tube-32; The inova ble' 'rriember; 33includes a float a1 id='*a-"-glasfs--tube; 36 Which isfprovi'ded with graduations" vadapted t0- regfst'er Wi'th' a line 381- li'or ni'ed on the plate 39 that fits "over the opening of the instrument boardlF- I At the rearofi the tubu'lar' mem'ber 3E2" is a-n eleetrio'lam-p;40 in circuit with asuitable sw iteh and,source of'eleetrie supply; through h w b ember a thefi'water "level in the w ire 41': and G ntaetrmaQ, o thatthe li'ght/ raysiirom the-leaped willfil luminate' 6" o'fthe-end-tha-tthe? 

